Ireland turn down Wallaroos double headers

By Georgina Robinson & Tom Decent

If you thought the Ireland series was shaping up as a belter, imagine a Wallaroos vs Ireland women's Test to whet the appetite in the stadiums each week.

The dream was very nearly a reality this year when Rugby Australia invited the Ireland Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to send their women out to play three double-headers this month.

Brushed: Ireland turned down an invitation to play Test match double-headers against the Wallaroos this month.

Photo: Supplied

RA proposed the matches be played immediately before the men's Tests in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, pitting the Wallaroos against the Ireland women in a historic first Test series between the nations and a first ever incoming Ireland tour.

Australian Women's Rugby president Josephine Sukkar even threw in a massive sweetener, offering to cover the tourists' accommodation costs, but in a move that has left the Ireland women's team bitterly disappointed, it was 'thanks but no thanks' from the IRFU. The Cauliflower understands the union was very interested but couldn't find the extra money to fund an admittedly expensive tour.

"When the offer came we’d already decided to focus on November fixtures to build to the Six Nations," an IRFU spokesperson said.

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Sukkar, who pitched and drove the concept, said the Wallaroos were disappointed but understood the issues at play.

"Certainly we invited them because that's the way we are looking to go forward, as the governing body, giving our women the same opportunities as our men," she said.

"I'm sure cost played a big factor ... It's a shame as we feel we are closely matched with Ireland and it would have given us great preparation for New Zealand."

The Wallaroos play the world No.1 ranked Black Ferns in two Bledisloe Cup double-headers before the Wallabies vs All Blacks Tests in Sydney and Auckland in August.

RA have been trying to organise more Test matches for the women and saw the Ireland Test series as the perfect opportunity.

Grilled Cheika

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was quizzed by a bunch of high school students at the Wallabies team announcement at Kelvin Grove State High School on Thursday and the transcript is Wallabies gold.

Students: Do you go for NSW or Queensland?

Cheika: We’re both come Saturday evening.

Students: Do you get stressed when you’re about to play the All Blacks?

Cheika: Even though those people who watch the games they might see us look a bit stressed in the coach's box, we're never stressed because we're playing sport. There's a lot of people out there doing serious jobs - doctors, nurses, policeman, fire brigade. We do it for love, not for a job. I'm going to have to get a real job one day. It's no stress, we like to call it passion.

Pulling a crowd: Queensland hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa starred when at the Wallabies team announcement at Kelvin Grove State High in Brisbane on Thursday.

Photo: Stuart Walmsley

Students: Do you ever lose the plot in the coach’s box? (big laughs)

Cheika: Maybe the odd occasion. I’ve thought about ordering a couple of pizzas to the box so when the camera's on me they can see us having dinner one day.

Students: Who’s your favourite player ever?

Cheika: I’m going to exclude the current day players. The guy you saw in that video, his name is David Campese. I played a lot with him for my club and he was an unbelievable player. He is a guy who could save you from any situation because he was so brilliant with his attacking skills. When you were in strife you’d get the ball to him and he’d do the business. He’s probably my favourite.

Not a bad interview, in our book. Did we tell you the Sydney Morning Herald is hiring cadets?

Campo's common touch

Speaking of the goose-stepper, Campese has been popping up everywhere since he and his family returned to Australia late last year. They're holed up near Bob and Ruth Dwyer in the Southern Highlands but Campo has been logging some serious frequent flyers in a quest to give back to Australian rugby after many years in South Africa.

Happy to be back: David Campese shares some wisdom and a few laughs with players from the First XV at Sydney Boys' High

Photo: James Brickwood

Last week he was at Sydney Boys' High. But in a national tour of sorts, generously supported by the Australian Rugby Foundation, he's already ticked off the list some regional gems such as Rockhampton and Bundaberg in Queensland, the Hunter Valley and Wollongong in NSW, as well as Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne. We're told he will also visit Tasmania and the Northern Territory in coming weeks.

Tolu has eyes on the prize

After a rough start to the week things are looking up for NSW hooker Tolu Latu. During a warm-up drill on Monday Latu copped a footy straight to the face that was coming at serious pace. There were a few laughs but he didn't look overly impressed.

On Thursday, he was named to play his first Test since 2016. This time last year he was told he wasn't fit enough coming into June and he had barely played 80 minutes for the Waratahs, with Damien Fitzpatrick and Hugh Roach ahead of him, so it's a big improvement.

Our money is on Latu wanting to make a big impression at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday ... and keeping his eye on the ball.

Classic Wallabies game

The Classic Wallabies will take on a Darling Downs over 35 team this Sunday in Toowoomba. The team is captained by former Wallabies captain Nathan Sharpe and features the likes of Julian Huxley, Lote Tuqiri, Justin Harrison, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles.

There will be a kids clinic and a corporate function, where another couple of former Australian captains in Stephen Moore and James Horwill will speak alongside RA chief executive Raelene Castle.